Zookeeper
Zookeeper

Zookeeper

2011Movie102 minEnglish

Kindhearted Griffin Keyes is one of the best-loved caretakers at the Franklin Park Zoo, but he's more comfortable with the animals than with females of his own species as proven by his failed marriage proposal to the self-absorbed Stephanie several years ago. The animals have listened to Griffin pine over her for years and, after she reappears in his life, they decide to help Griffin rekindle the relationship and become the alpha male she wants him to be. They inadvertently reveal their secret ability to talk and, after Griffin's initial shock, teach him the rules of courtship, animal-style. Surprisingly, the animals' advice really works and Griffin is about to get everything he's ever dreamed of--or is he?

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Insights

IMDb5.8/10
Rotten Tomatoes15%
Metacritic33/100
Google Users61%
Director: Frank CoraciGenres: Comedy, Family, Romance

Plot Summary

Griffin Keyes, a lovable but lonely zoo keeper, realizes he is more successful with animals than with women. When his long-time crush, Stephanie, reappears and seems interested, he decides to quit his job. To win her over, he seeks advice from his animal friends, who decide to break their own rule and help him, speaking human language to guide him through the complexities of dating.

Critical Reception

Zookeeper was met with generally negative reviews from critics and moderate commercial success. While some praised its family-friendly nature and the performance of Kevin James, many found the plot predictable and the humor to be juvenile.

What Reviewers Say

  • The film relies heavily on talking animals for humor, which often falls flat.
  • Kevin James's comedic performance is a highlight for some, but not enough to save the weak script.
  • A predictable and uninspired romantic comedy formula.

Google audience: Audience reviews are mixed, with some finding the talking animals amusing and the story sweet for families, while others found the humor forced and the plot unoriginal.

Fun Fact

The animals in the film were animated in post-production, with actors providing the voices. Kevin James often had to act opposite a tennis ball or a stuffed animal representing the character he was interacting with.

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My Review

TMDB Reviews

3 reviews
FleshWound

FleshWound

A shallow, mediocre film that can't be saved by its fleeting moments of humor. Zookeeper is about a low-confidence man who is looking for love and manages to keep messing things up. You'll be able to guess the plot within just a few min...
Kamurai

Kamurai

Good watch, could watch again, and can recommend. Kevin James and Rosario Dawson give a good carry, though they have an excellent range of supporting characters and then Adam Sandler as the voice of most of the animals. While I would ...
Wuchak

Wuchak

Fun, heartwarming dramedy with Kevin James, Rosario Dawson and… talking animals RELEASED IN 2011 and directed by Frank Coraci, "Zookeeper" is a dramedy/fantasy/romance starring Kevin James as a (you guessed it) zookeeper in Boston who en...